Wayne State University Athletics

Football 8/27/2014 3:29:00 PM Jeff Weiss, AssocIate Athletics Director for Media Relations

2014 Football Position Previews - Defensive Line

Listen to Coach Kazmierski's thoughts on his student-athletes.

Over the next couple of weeks we will continue previewing each position on the 2014 Wayne State University football team with each position coach highlighting their respective units. Scott Kazmierski, Defensive Line Coach, is featured in this segment.

The defensive line lost Greg Hasse and Mike Laamanen to graduation, but returns several key pieces from 2013 including defensive end Justice Akuezue, who started nine games at the spot last year. Also returning on the outside is Alex Medenbach. Returnees at the other defensive end position include Ashawn Butler, Jake Carrizales and Marv Jefferson.

"Justice has been a starter, so we are very excited about having him back and Alex, who is only a sophomore, is another guy who is developing," said head coach Paul Winters. "Marv Jefferson, another sophomore, hasn't played much but is an active, athletic young man. Redshirt freshman Jake Carrizales is another guy who we are excited to see what he can do."

Butler begins his third season in the program, but hasn't played since his freshman year at Grand Rapids Community College in 2010.

Newcomers on the outside include junior college transfer Courtland Drummond, freshmen Derrick Coleman (Country Day) and Kolby Nance (Farmington Hills Harrison) along with Northern Michigan transfer Adam Williams, who will redshirt in 2014. Drummond was an all-league performer a year ago for Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Calif., while Coleman is the son of former NBA star Derrick Coleman.

Also returning up front are junior nose tackles Ryan Hankins and Raafat El Hage, along with senior tackle Sam Sillmon.

"They are three guys with really good experience inside," Winters said. "They are all upperclassmen and 290-to-300 pounders. They will give us a good base inside."

Sophomore Jada Littlejohn, along with redshirt freshmen Blake Mazur and Lamonte Baker should provide depth on the inside of the defensive line for the Warriors.

Redford native Derrick Rodgers joined the program for fall ball after graduating from the College of DuPage (Junior College) in May, where he garnered 40 tackles as a sophomore.

Another newcomer to the defensive line is Dearborn Fordson's Salim Makki.

Past Position Previews: Quarterbacks, Defensive Backs, Running Backs, Linebackers, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends

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